Preschooler Version of Thanksgiving

According to Leo, this is the story of Thanksgiving: The Pilgrims came on a big boat. The name of the boat is the Mayflower. They landed at Plymouth Rock. The Pilgrims didn't know how to do anything. They couldn't grow plants and they didn't know how to feed the cows. The Native Americans helped them. They taught the Pilgrims how to grow stuff and feed the cows. Then they all had a big feast to celebrate. They ate macaroni and cheese. And turkey, too. :)

Books for a Vehicle-Obsessed Toddler

I'm still marveling over the fact of how very BOY my little boy is... Trucks and buses and construction equipment is the coolest thing ever, according to Leo. Me...not so much... but I'm willing to support the obsession because at least he isn't into guns.
So we've started establishing a small library of vehicle-based titles to entertain and delight our little guy.
Here's a few of our favorites:

Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle
and
Little Blue Truck Leads the Way by Alice Schertle

Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site by Sherri Duskey Rinker

Good Morning Digger by Anne Rockwell

Where's My Truck? by Karen Beaumont

One criteria for a good children's book is the ability for adults to read it over and over again without going completely insane. All of these books fit that criteria for us, so I'm glad to get my little guy interested in reading without having to put up with tepid prose.

The Post-Halloween Candy Rush

This Halloween was the first time Leo really got the concept of candy. He'd had treats before, and we've never been above bribing him with cookies for successful potty usage. But now...now CANDY has been discovered. "Can I have some candy" is the morning refrain ("Not before breakfast" is my answer) "I'm good. Gimme candy" is the after-school ritual. (""Just because you're good doesn't mean you get candy" is my answer) But how do you explain that after walking around getting a bucket of candy from everyone he comes across, he doesn't actually get to eat it all. There is, of course, only one solution. Mommy and Daddy have to eat as much of it as possible to keep it out of the vulnerable hands of the two-year-old. I live with the guilt, oh yes, I do...